I sit in a wooden chair by the door while Link sleeps quietly on the sofa. I don't think he intended on falling asleep there. I fiddle with a strand of my hair, trying to pinpoint the reason I am shivering so violently. I feel no cold upon my skin. I hold the strand up to the light. It appears almost golden. When I release it again, it reverts to its normal sun-deprived brown.
My morning thoughts flutter about like they always do. I have to catch them one at a time. The first ones are always the most dark and twisted. I don't want to hear what they have to say. I can't handle it.
I go back to fingering two strands of my hair, twisting them together. I begin thinking about my old room. The walls were made of grey stone. The bed had a feather pillow and a royal purple comforter. There was a vanity made of white wood with six little drawers and a mirror- My hand twitches and I rip out the strands of hair I had been tangling.
The nip of pain I feel is oddly refreshing. I put my hand in my lap quickly. It is just a few strands of hair now, but if I left myself to my own devices, it would be worse. I don't want to see my own blood. I don't want to see anyone's blood. I don't want to hear a scream or a shatter. I never want to see my reflection again. I just want to erase history.
My eyes focus on nothing as Link stirs in his sleep. I can't break my gaze on the air in front of me even as he wakes from his sleep. I just stare and stare and stare at the ground across the room.
"Zelda! I'm sorry! You should have woken me up!" Link throws in a laugh at the end of his sentence. His smile radiates across the room.
"In other words, good morning." I try to react with a small laugh but I am unable to. I feel frozen.
"Zelda?" Link asks. I blink repeatedly, finally breaking my stare. I look up at him.
"Good morning." My voice is so cold. I hate it.
"I'm going to make some breakfast. What would you like?" Link asks. I stand so I can be at the same level as his eyes.
"I'm not hungry." I shake my head. Link looks worried.
"Zelda you didn't east a thing all day yesterday! You need the strength." I close my eyes and shake my head. What do I need the strength for? Link searches for words.
"I miss her too." His voice is like a knife. I didn't want to hear that.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I choke.
"She broke the mirror, she's gone. Midna-"
"Stop." I squeak, not sure how much talk of Midna I can handle. Link ignores my plea.
"She did so much for us and-"
"Stop!" I raise my voice and cover my ears. I don't want to talk about Midna.
"I miss her too Zelda!" Link takes my hand, an attempt to comfort me.
"Don't speak of her!" I shout tearing my hand away. "Just…don't…" I can't finish my sentence. Link looks hurt for a moment, but covers it up. He goes to the kitchen, leaving me standing alone.
"Link." I speak up.
"Yes Zelda?" He replies.
"…I guess I'm a little hungry." I turn to face him. He smiles at me, triumphant.
"That's more like it."
Link and I walk to Rusl and Uli's house after a lovely breakfast of Ordonian cakes. They let us in and seat us on the couch.
"I'll be in in a minute!" Uli calls from the kitchen, where she washes dishes. Rusl sits across from us.
"Hello Link, Princess." He gives us each a nod. "I wanted to thank you…for all that you've done, for Hyrule and our village. We would be lost without you. Which is why, princess, we'd like to help you build a new castle." My eyes widen.
"That's very kind but, you don't need to-"
"We insist. You have sacrificed so much for our wellbeing. It is but the least we can do." I think of an excuse. They can't do this for me. It is because of my weakness that all in Hyrule have suffered. I cannot accept their gifts. I go to speak but am interrupted.
In the kitchen, Uli loses her grip on a plate and it falls to the ground with a loud crash. The glass shatters and pieces scatter. I scream and cover my ears. Shattering. I hate shattering. I also hate mirrors, because mirrors can break, or be broken.
"Oh goodness." Uli begins cleaning up the mess. "I'm sorry! I'm so clumsy." I shake my head as if to tell Uli she shouldn't apologize. My body begins shivering violently, my ears still covered. I feel tears streaming down my cheeks. That one sound triggered it all. Shatter.
"Zelda? Are you okay?" Link puts a hand on my shoulder. I compose myself quickly.
"Yes. Sorry, I'm a bit on edge. I just need some fresh air." I gather my skirts and let myself outside. I collapse on the ground, my legs no longer able to hold me. I let my tears consume me. I hear the door open. Its Link no doubt.
"I lied, Link. I lied to both of us. I'm far from okay." I sobbed. Link fell to his knees at my side. I sat up to look at him, trying to hold myself together. A new wave of tears took over as I rested my head on his shoulder.
"Something needs to change." Link sighed. "Something needs to change."